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Sunday, February 12, 2012

This week there are lots of words and not many photos. Since I am all about structure, which includes following a syllabus, I thought it was time to present this one. I know I should probably have started with the syllabus, but it didn't really occur to me until after I made up the new schedule. By that time, I realized people were chomping at the bit to get started, so a bunch of words would not have sufficed for Lesson 1.

For the class I taught before, I broke it down to a total of 12 weeks. I have extended it to 20 weeks. The syllabus I used before has been modified, too. I found that I lost a lot of students after they realized there was going to be things like "history" and "design principles of composition," etc. that they had to take in. For some, it was simply overwhelming. That's why I have broken the lessons down even further and spread them further apart. That way, each person who wants to play, can learn, then create the technique, or pass on that week. Of course, there is nothing requiring you to show your work. It's totally up to you. Be aware that each lesson builds on the next. I hope to even get over my fear of "Mr. Linky" before then, too (grin).

For those of you who may have missed the first lesson, or must miss a lesson in the future, or just want to review one, please look for Bleubeard on my right sidebar. Click on that lesson and you will be instantly taken to it.

I would like to add that providing Mr. Linky works properly, we will be visiting your blog. So I hope you share what you have made. That will encourage your readers and followers to take an interest in this class, too.

Feel free to print off this syllabus for your own use, or to share with others who might want to take the class. Please do not use my words, my syllabus, my tutorials, or my art for your own gain, such as teaching an AB class in your community. There are enough tutorials on the web, many of them more advanced than what I'll be teaching.

Lesson 20Decorating the cover As you can see, we will cut our niches after we prep our books and before we begin decorating them. It makes it easier to create a niche when there is nothing in the book.

I will be teaching one lesson that you, the students request. It will be Week 18 and I will get your input at the end of week 15. Wire or beeswax are possible considerations, but please be aware that if I don't have a product, I will not go out and buy something for this class. Remember, I am all about using up what I have this year.

Totally optional: In the comments section, if you have decided on a theme, please let us know what it will be.I have decided to make two books: one on rocking horses and one on techniques using houses.

I'm not sure why these photos won't center, but it may be because I saved them in the "new and improved" blogger format. Because I am sharing this post on CED, and because there has been only one photo so far in this post,

I thought I would use Leah's word for February, which is night. I have added a few photos that have nothing to do with altered books, the syllabus, or my themes, but everything to do with night.

Great, I have downloaded the syllabus, have found a book and I think I have a theme.... "Reflecting". Hopefully not too broad but I thought it would cover lots of options. Looking forward to the next week.

I found a lovely old Webster's Dictionary which doesn't mind doing back flips and appears to stand up to abuse so I am choosing as my theme 'words and their definitions'!! I am so looking forward to this... especially cutting it up!! LOL

I am so excited to BEgin and to BE DOing this. I found a great book at the library, The Great Book of Wine, and though it cost me $3 ;~D I think it is going to BE superb!! The people at the library are urging me to come back and show them what I DO with it, too. Which, for me, is exciting. Were it NOT for CED and AEDM and Leah, I'd still pretty much BE making my art quietly. It's so much nicer to share it AND to share in yours and everyone else's I've "met" here.

Well, I am here again....and trying not to be too intimidated! I found a book that I think will stand up to altering, but I am still looking in case I find a better one. My original theme was travel, but now I think it is too geared towards scrapbooking--which I don't do either, by the way. So, that will probably change, too. Two steps forward & one back, but I'm excited to learn!

Thanks for the syllabus, I am one of those sad people who find details and plans essential and reassuring. I have two books to chose from the first is titled 'The tough-minded optimist' which seems to be a sort of self-help book (I haven't read it). Was attracted by the chapter titles - 'Never be afraid of anybody or anything', 'Like yourself, at least most of the time' - but not sure how I could incorporate these into my theme. I bought another from a charity shop yesterday, a Lemony Snicket children's book, and it cost me all of 5pence so my theme is a bit loose at present (in other words I don't have one - yet).

Don't think I have either yet. Book I bought wasn't actually sewn and the possible is an old psychology textbook from college, not sure I can bring myself to use that YET! As for a theme - absolutely no idea! I have no notion where this is going at all. Googled altered book images and mainly came up with open works of art so am completely stumped right now. Will the book close of sorts and have some turning pages? SO confused. BJ

Right - went out and bought another book. It definitely has a sewn spine but not so many pages approx 180 although it is thicker than my 300+ page text book - go figure! The theme of the book is nothing I am interested in as it is about a Cricket Commentator BUT the Title, "Summers will never be the same" has led me to a theme >>> Seasons. Will that work?

Intimidated but excited to give it a shot - I'm off to look for my book this afternoon - there are some good themes mentioned above....I'll have to give that a little more thought. Maybe it will be directed by the size/shape of my book find... Can't wait - and THANKS for class; you're amazing!

Hi Elizabeth. Have I got this right? The course "proper" starts next week on Monday 20th February 2012 and will run every two weeks (fortnightly) for 20 sessions therefore 40 weeks? Thanks BJ in anticipation.

Hey Elizabeth,Yep a BIG Morse fan and since that ended, a LEWIS fan too and the latest dramatisation was over Christmas here in the UK and called ENDEAVOUR (but I shouldn't need to tell you why that name!) It was all about Morse's early days when he was in college. I bought my first video recorder when the original MORSE series was on TV here as it clashed with my Yoga class! That devoted. I read all of Colin Dexter's books and he appeared in cameo roles in alot of the series, sure I saw him in Endeavour too!Thanks for OKing the season theme, like your idea of showing the season changes with pieces sticking off the pages - sounds great. I have loads of photos of our garden and plants, perhaps I could use them somehow.This is all so exciting, can't wait. BJ

Just wanted to say that I have a problem sometimes with pictures centering. When you right click on the picture and it gives you options, left, center, right...and center is already highlighted then click on left or right and then click on center and that usually works for me. Hope that made sense ;0

Bleubeard and I welcome you

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Two of my completed altered books

Word to art by in 2019

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